Coco Gauff urges tennis influencers to respect match etiquette

August 16, 2026, Mason, Oh, USA: Cincinnati Open Tennis 2026 – Coco Gauff hits a ball against Liudmila Samsonova. 2026 08 16. /ZUMAPress Mason USA – ZUMAn24_ 20260816_zaf_n24_389 Copyright: xWallyxNellx Credit - Imago

Coco Gauff urges tennis influencers to respect match etiquette

Originally posted on HerSportsNation | By Deblina Roy | Last updated Sep 4, 2026 3:02 PM ET

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While the tennis world has gathered at the Arthur Ashe Stadium, Coco Gauff had a little advice for the influencers visiting the US Open.

“I think it’s great to have a different demographic to the sport. I have no problem with influencers,” Gauff told the US Open Press, per an X clip posted by The Tennis Letter on September 4, 2026. “(But) any venue you come to, you have to follow the etiquette towards it.”

In the evolving age of social media, influencers do help popularize sports and events. However, just like “you wouldn’t show up in jeans” on a red carpet, the 22-year-old urged influencers to learn and follow the etiquette that a tennis game, its audience and players follow.

However, the 2x Grand Slam winner didn’t rule out the possibility of many influencers visiting the event for the first time. In that case, she urged the brands to step in, while naming some of the etiquette herself.

“Sometimes it’s their first tennis match, and they don’t know,” she told the US Open Press further, per the same X clip. “Some of the brands (should) have a sign plastered in the suite … I definitely think no flash photography.

“Try not to talk too loud,” she added. “Definitely not like mouthing TikToks and stuff in the middle of a point.”

Moreover, she also broke down the necessities of following these.

Coco Gauff explained why etiquette matters

In a packed stadium where players are trying to focus, struggling to maintain steady nerves against an opponent or calculating the next move, being a responsible audience just helps. And it’s not just about the players, but for everyone passionate about the sport.

“Luckily, the (influencers) I do follow online do follow the etiquette and know tennis pretty well,” she said, per the same clip. “It’s not just for the players but for the viewing experience, for those around. I think it’s cool to have a new demographic, and I think it helps grow the sport.”

“But like with anything, any venue you go to … just follow the etiquette of the sport, that’s all,” she concluded.

This article first appeared on TheSheGotGame and was syndicated with permission.

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